Safety device for windows



April 7, 1925.

C. H. MCELROY SAFETY DEVICE FOR wnmows Filed July 16, 1.924

M29511. MFEIW Patented Apr. 7, 1925.

UNITED STATES CHARLES H. H ELROY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR WINDOWS.

Application filed July 16, 1921. Serial No. 726,406.-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. Mo- ELROY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices for Windows, of which the followin is a specification.

My said invention relates to a collapsible, removable grating or shield intended particularly for insertion in the outer, lower channels of window frames of buildings to prevent burglars or other unauthorized persons from gaining access thereinto.

As is well known, the usual devices of this nature are objectionable on account of the fact that too many adlocks are required or the devices inter ere with ventilation as the lower sashes of the windows cannot be raised to their full height or the upper sashes lowered without affording sufficient space to permit a house breaker or burglar to gain admission. Also devices of this type have been found to be very cumbersome and detract from the appearance of the house to which applied, as they are not readily handled if it is desired to remove them for any reason.

lhe object of the invention is to provide a simple inexpensive strong and durable burglar proof grating or shield which will prevent any unauthorized person or persons from passing through the opening to which the same is applied, thereby making the room equipped therewith a safe place to sleep in and a secure place in which to keep valuables.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts:

Figure 1 is a view of the device inunsecured position as applied to a window frame on the outside of the window;

Figure 2, a similar view showing the device secured and locked in position;

Figure 3, a detail view on the line 33 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4:, a detail on the line 4-4; of Figure 1 showing the means for securing the device against removal.

In the drawings reference character 10 indicates the window frame having a sill 11 and a window 12 of any desired proportions. The grating is composed of outer parallel upright posts or bars 13 to which are secured a plurality of parallel horizontal cross bars 14 and 15 arranged in pairs and havin their inner ends equidistantly spaced an pivotally secured to an intermediate upright post 16 adapted to be moved longitudinal y with reference to the posts 13 in order to bring the posts 13 nearer together or space them farther apart. The cross bars 15 are sufficiently long to extend beyond the post 16 and when in locked position said extending portions rest within receiving elements or brackets 17 secured in any desired manner, but in the present instance (as shown in Fig. 3), by rivets to the cross bar 14. These brackets may be omitted if desired or brackets of other form may be substituted therefor.

The inner end of each of the cross bars 15 extending beyond the post 16 is apertured at 18 for cooperation with a corresponding aperture 19 in cross bar 14 by means of which apertures a padlock 20 may be secured in place for maintaining the parts in expanded position as shown in Figure 2. Obviously other locking means may be substituted if desired. To prevent removal or longitudinal movement of the frame of the device, I provide each of the posts 13 with lugs 21 for cooperation with a thimble 22 secured in a recess in the window frame 10. These lugs and thimbles may be omitted if desired, when the grating will be held in the slots at the sides of the window frame, the lugs and thimbles being merely for greater security.

In the operation of my device the frame in partially collapsed condition as shown in Fig. 2 is inserted in position on the window sill (Fig. 1). Now upon moving the middle bar or post 1.6 longitudinally or downward the sets of cross-bars will act as toggles to force the upright bars 13 outward in opposite directions and so move said bars into the slots of the window frame and the pins 21 carried thereby into their respective thimbles whereupon one or more padlocks may be applied for securing the frame in position and for preventing removal thereof. Obviously a padlock might be used for each cooperating pair of bars 14 and 15, however, one look is suflicient. The device is capable of being readily removed during the day and replaced at night if desired and is very simple in its construction and efficient in its operation.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in mfy device without departing from the spirit 0 the invention and therefore I donot limit myself to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but onl as indicated in the aplpgnded claims.

avin thus fully descn d my invention what I ci aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A device for preventing the passage of unauthorized persons through windows, comprising a pair of substantially parallel uprights or engagement with the window frame said uprights having outwardly projecting lugs adapted to fit within recesses in the window frame, spaced cross bars carried by said uprights in substantially parallel relation, a central supporting element secured to the adjoining ends of each pair of said cross bars, one or more of said cross bars extending along its cooperating cross bar and having means for securing the same in alinement therewith, substantially as set forth.

2. A device for preventing the passage of unauthorized persons through openings comprising side posts having means for engagement with the side frame of the opening, cooperating pairs of cross bars extending inwardl from said side posts and being connecte substantially adjacent their opposite ends to a central spacing and securing post, a bracket element on one of said crossbars, the other of said cooperating cross bars being extended and adapted to fit within said bracket element, and an aperture in said extended end of said cross bar adapted for cooperation with a corresponding aperture in the cooperating cross bar for accommodation of a lock, substantially as set forth.

3. A collapsible grating comprising a pair of uprights for engagement with the sides of a window frame, said uprights having outwardly projecting lugs adapted to cooperate with recesses in the window frame, spaced cross bars having their outer ends secured to said uprights and pivotally connected adjacent their opposite ends, a central spacing element secured to the connections between each pair of cross bars adapted to be moved longitudinally for bringing the uprights closer together or spacing them farther apart said cross bars having extensions adapted to lie alongside of their coopcrating cross bars, and means for securin said grating in extended position in sai window, substantially as set forth.

4. A device for preventing the passage of unauthorized persons .throu h windows, cornpnsin a pair of substantially parallel nprlghts or engagement with the window frame, spaced cross bars carried by said uprights in substantially parallel relation, 9. central supporting element secured to the adjoining ends of each pair of said horizontal cross bars midwa between the uprights, one or more of said cross bars extendin along its cooperating cross bar past sai central supporting element, and means for securing the same in alinement therewith, substantially as set forth.

5. A device for preventin the passage of unauthorized persons throng openings comprising side posts having means for engagement with the side frame of the opening, cooperating pairs of cross bars extending inwardly from said side posts and being connected substantially adjacent their opposite ends to a central spacing and securing post, one of said cooperating cross bars being extended and adapted to be adjacent another cross bar, and means for locking said bars together, substantially as set forth.

6. A collapsible grating comprising apair of uprights for engagement with the sides of a window frame, spaced cross bars having their outer ends secured to said uprights and pivotally connected adjacent their opposite ends, a central spacing element secured to the connections between each pair of cross bars adapted to be moved longitu dinally for bringing the uprights closer together or spacing them farther apart one of said cross bars having an extension adapted to lie alongside of its cooperating cross bar, and means for securin said grating in extended position in said window, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 14th day of July, A. D. nineteen hundred and twenty-four.

CHARLES H. McELROY. [L. s.]

Witnesses:

' M. L. SHULER,

R. B. PLUMMER. 

